Method for making slider end stops on zippers for reclosable packaging

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacture comprising the steps of extruding a zipper part comprising a plastic closure member that has an interlockable profile and that has a side opposite to the profile; and joining a piece of plastic material to the side of the closure member. The piece is disposed entirely within an elevational range bounded by top and bottom edges of the closure member and is designed to function as a slider end stop. The end stop piece can be joined to the side of the plastic closure member by any one of the following techniques; heating the plastic to a softening temperature and pressing the piece against the softened portion; gluing the piece to the side of the closure member; fastening the piece to the closure member; or injection molding the piece onto the side of the closure member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to methods and apparatus formanufacturing slider-operated flexible zippers for use in reclosablepouches, bags or other packages of the type in which material, such asfoodstuff and detergent, are stored.

[0002] Reclosable bags are finding ever-growing acceptance as primarypackaging, particularly as packaging for foodstuffs such as cereal,fresh vegetables, snacks and the like. Such bags provide the consumerwith the ability to readily store, in a closed, if not sealed, packageany unused portion of the packaged product even after the package isinitially opened. To gain acceptance as a primary package forfoodstuffs, it is virtually mandatory that the package exhibit some formof tamper evidence to protect the consumer and maintain thewholesomeness of the contained product. In addition, in many cases it isnecessary that food product be hermetically packaged.

[0003] Reclosable fastener assemblies are useful for sealingthermoplastic pouches or bags. Such fastener assemblies often include aplastic zipper and a slider. Typically, the plastic zippers include apair of interlockable profiled members that form a closure. As theslider moves across the profiles, the profiles are opened or closed. Theprofiles in plastic zippers can take on various configurations, e.g.interlocking rib and groove elements having so-called male and femaleprofiles, interlocking alternating hook-shaped closure members, etc.Reclosable bags having slider-operated zippers are generally moredesirable to consumers than bags having zippers without sliders becausethe slider eliminates the need for the consumer to align theinterlockable zipper profiles before causing those profiles to engage.

[0004] In one type of slider-operated zipper assembly, the sliderstraddles the zipper and has a separating finger at one end that isinserted between the profiles to force them apart as the slider is movedalong the zipper in an opening direction. The other end of the slider issufficiently narrow to force the profiles into engagement and close thezipper when the slider is moved along the zipper in a closing direction.Other types of slider-operated zipper assemblies avoid the use of aseparating finger. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,450 discloses azipper comprising a pair of mutually interlockable profiled structures,portions of which form a fulcrum about which the profiled structures maybe pivoted out of engagement when lower edges of the bases are forcedtowards each other.

[0005] One of the important features of zipper assemblies operated bysliders without separating fingers is the end stop, which prevents theclipped-on slider from falling off when the slider reaches the end ofthe fastener. A slider end stop is provided on each end of the zipper.End stops have taken on various configurations, such as, for example,riveted end clamps such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,208and 5,161,286; transverse end stops made from molten material of thefastener strips, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,971; tubular endstops, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,478; a window structurecombined with sealed zipper ends, as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,442,837; plastic end clips fused to the zipper, as described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,448,807; posts with enlarged heads that pass through the endsof the zipper profiles, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,173; andplastic ribbon, monofilament or clip-shaped segments that conform to theouter shape of and are fused to the zipper profile, as described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,833,791.

[0006] A slider end stop must be designed to withstand the forcesapplied by a consumer during normal use. More specifically, as theconsumer pulls the slider to either end of the zipper, the end stopshould not bend, fold, collapse or otherwise lose its ability to stopthe slider when the slider is pressed against the end stop by theconsumer. Preferably a slider end stop has relatively high sliderpull-off resistance.

[0007] There is a need for improvements in the manufacture andconstruction of slider end stops for slider-operated zippers. Inparticular, there is a need for an improved, yet economical method ofmaking a slider end stop having high slider pull-off resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention is directed to methods of making slider end stopson zippers for reclosable packaging. The invention is further directedto various slider-zipper assemblies in which slider end stops are joinedto a profiled closure member of the zipper and to reclosable packagesincorporating such assemblies.

[0009] One aspect of the invention is a method of manufacture comprisingthe following steps: extruding a zipper part comprising a plasticclosure member that has an interlockable profile and that has a sideopposite to the profile; and joining a piece of plastic material to theside of the closure member, the piece being disposed entirely within anelevational range bounded by top and bottom edges of the closure member.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention is a method of making slider endstops on an end section of a plastic zipper, comprising the followingsteps: interlocking a pair of profiled closure members together alongtheir length to form a zipper; cutting the zipper to form a generallytransverse end face; making an elongated piece of plastic materialhaving first and second bodies connected by a foldable strap in acentral section; wrapping the elongated piece around the cut end withthe strap confronting the generally transverse end face, and with thefirst and second bodies being disposed adjacent and exterior to opposingsides of the zipper; and joining the first and second bodies of plasticmaterial to the respective sides of the zipper.

[0011] A further aspect of the invention is an assembly comprising aplastic zipper and a slider mounted to the zipper, wherein the zippercomprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members thatare joined at first and second ends of the zipper, and a slider end stopprojecting outward from a side of the first closure member for adistance sufficient to obstruct further travel of the slider in one,wherein the slider end stop comprises a body of plastic material joinedto the first closure member, the body being disposed near the first endof the zipper and entirely within an elevational range bounded by topand bottom edges of the first closure member.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention is an assembly comprising aplastic zipper and a slider mounted to the zipper, wherein the zippercomprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members thatare joined at first and second ends of the zipper, and a slider end stopprojecting outward from a side of the first closure member for adistance sufficient to obstruct further travel in one direction by theslider, wherein the slider end stop is disposed near the first end ofthe zipper and entirely within an elevational range bounded by top andbottom edges of the first closure member, and the slider has a notchthat receives a portion of the slider end stop before the slider endstop stops further travel by the slider, the notch being formed in partby a surface that is situated under a portion of the slider end stopwhen the slider abuts the slider end stop.

[0013] Yet another aspect of the invention is an assembly comprising aplastic zipper and a slider mounted to the zipper, wherein the zippercomprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members, aslider end stop projecting outward from a side of the first closuremember for a distance sufficient to obstruct further travel in onedirection by the slider, and a fastener that fastens the slider end stopto one end of the zipper. The slider end stop comprises a body ofplastic material disposed entirely within an elevational range boundedby top and bottom edges of the first closure member.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention is an assembly comprising aplastic zipper and a slider mounted to the zipper, wherein the zippercomprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members havingrespective opposing ends, and an elongated piece of plastic materialwrapped around one end of the zipper. The elongated piece comprisesfirst and second bodies connected by a strap. The first body is joinedto an exterior of the first closure member and the second body is joinedto an exterior of the second closure member, while the strap confrontsan endface of the zipper. The first and second bodies obstruct furthertravel of the slider toward the end of the zipper.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the invention is an assembly comprising aplastic zipper and a slider mounted to the zipper, wherein the zippercomprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members, thefirst closure member comprising a hole, and a slider end stop comprisinga toothed shaft that penetrates the hole in the first closure member anda head that projects outward from a side of the first closure member fora distance sufficient to obstruct further travel in one direction by theslider.

[0016] Other aspects of the invention include reclosable packagescomprising a receptacle and a slider-zipper assembly of any one of thetypes described in the preceding five paragraphs, wherein the zipper isjoined to or integrally formed with the receptacle.

[0017] Other aspects of the invention are disclosed and claimed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a sectional view of one type ofreclosable bag having a slider-operated zipper.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an isometric view of a portion of azipper with slider mounted thereon in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an end view of a zipper having ariveted end stop in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a side view of a rivet with teeth foruse in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a top view of an end portion of azipper having a wraparound end stop in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a sectional view of the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 5, the section being taken along line 6-6 indicated inFIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Reference will now be made to the drawings, in which similarelements in different drawings bear the same reference numerals. For thepurpose of illustration, some embodiments of the invention will bedescribed with reference to a reclosable package of the type depicted inFIG. 1. However, application of the slider end stop formation techniquesof the present invention is not limited to reclosable bags of the typeshown in FIG. 1. For example, the reclosable bag may incorporate othertypes of slider-zipper assemblies. Also the zipper can be integrallyformed with the bag making film, instead of having flanges that arejoined to the bag making film, as is depicted in FIG. 1. Further, thereclosable package may be provided with a header that encloses theslider-zipper assembly and acts as a tamper-evident feature.Alternatively, the bag could be formed with side gussets, with orwithout a bottom panel.

[0025]FIG. 1 is a general depiction of one type of conventionalreclosable bag 2 incorporating a zipper 8 and a slider 10 mounted to thezipper. The bag 2 comprises a front wall 4 and a rear wall 6 integrallyconnected at a fold line situated at the bottom of the bag. Although notshown in FIG. 1, the walls 4 and 6 are also joined at the sides of thepackage, at least from the bottom to the zipper profile by respectiveside seals. Alternatively, the walls could be separate panels that aresealed together at their bottom edges as well as at their side edges.The bag walls 4 and 6 are formed of a suitable plastic film material forthe product to be contained within the package. For example, the filmmay be a laminate or coextrusion comprising a gas barrier layer and/or alow-melting-point sealant layer.

[0026] The zipper 8 comprises a closure member 12 having a femaleprofile and a closure member 14 having a male profile that interlockswith the female profile in the zipper section being closed as the slidertravels in the closing direction. The zipper 8 further comprises azipper flange 16 having one end connected or joined to closure member 12and a zipper flange 18 having one end connected or joined to closuremember 14.

[0027] As seen in FIG. 1, zipper flange 16 is secured to the bag frontwall 4 by a permanent seal 20 proximal to the top of the bag, whilezipper flange 18 is secured to the bag rear wall 6 by a permanent seal22. The permanent seals 20 and 22 are indicated by ovals. It should beappreciated that each permanent seal is a band of joined, e.g., fused,material that extends from one side seal of the bag to the other sideseal, thereby securing the zipper to the bag along the width of the bag.The permanent seals 20 and 22 are generally parallel to each other andmay be formed by any conventional method, such as conduction heatsealing.

[0028] It is known to apply a slider-operated zipper to a web of bagmaking film when advancement of the film toward a form-fill-seal (FFS)machine is temporarily halted. In one known system, a zipper tape isunwound from a spool and advanced to a device for forming slider endstops in accordance with one of the techniques disclosed hereinafter.The zipper tape is then advanced to a slider insertion device, whichinserts a respective slider on each segment of zipper corresponding tothe zipper length in the reclosable package. Then the zipper tape withinserted sliders is advanced toward the zipper tape application station,where one zipper length or segment will be severed from the remainder ofthe zipper tape and joined to bag making film that has been unwound froma roll and is being fed under tension to the FFS machine.

[0029]FIG. 2 depicts one end of a slider-zipper assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. The profiled closure members 12and 14 are joined to each other at opposing ends of the zipper. One ofthe joined ends 24 is shown in FIG. 2. The slider-zipper assembly may beof the type wherein the profiled closure members contact each other at afulcrum point, the section of the zipper inside the slider being actedon by the slider in a manner dependent upon the direction in which theslider is moving. If the slider is moving in the opening direction, thenthe engaged sections of the closure members that enter the slider arerotated about the fulcrum point in a direction that causes the engagedprofiles to disengage from each other, thereby opening those zippersections. Conversely, if the slider is moving in the closing direction,then the disengaged sections of the closure members that enter theslider are rotated about the fulcrum point in a direction that causesthe disengaged profiles to engage each other, thereby closing thosezipper sections. However, this is merely one example of one type ofslider-zipper assembly for which the various aspects of the inventioncan be employed.

[0030] Still referring to FIG. 2, the zipper is provided with at leastone slider end stop 26 at each end of the zipper (the slider end stop atthe other end is not shown). Optionally, the zipper may be provided witha respective pair of slider end stops at each end, the end stops of eachpair having the same size and shape and having mirrored positions onopposing sides of the zipper. The slider end stop 26 shown in FIG. 2 isjoined to the side of the profiled closure member 12 that is disposedopposite to the zipper profile of that closure member, i.e., the side ofclosure member 12 on the exterior of the zipper. The slider end stop 26projects outward from the side of closure member 12 for a distancesufficient to obstruct further travel of the slider 10 in the openingdirection. The slider end stop 26 comprises a body of plastic materialjoined to the closure member 12. The body 26 is disposed near the joinedend 24 of the zipper and entirely within an elevational range bounded bythe top and bottom edges of the closure member 12.

[0031] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the slider10 has a notch 28 that receives a portion of slider end stop 26 beforethe latter stops further travel of the slider. The portion of the endstop received in notch 28 is tapered. The notch 28 is formed in part byan oblique surface 29 that lodges under the tapered portion of sliderend stop 26 when the slider is stopped by the latter. The latching ofsurface 29 under the tapered end of the slider end stop prevents theleading end of the slider from being lifted or tilted upward and off thezipper when the slider is in the fully open parked position. Althoughnot necessary to practice of the invention, the notch 28 may have aprofile that matches the profile of the tapered end of the slider endstop.

[0032] Although not visible in FIG. 2, the zipper further comprises asecond slider end stop projecting outward from the side of one of theclosure members 12 or 14 for a distance sufficient to obstruct furthertravel of the slider 10 in the closing direction. The second slider endstop preferably has the same configuration and disposition as for theslider end stop 26. Likewise the slider 10 is provided with anothernotch 28′ for latching under the second slider end stop when the slideris in the fully closed park position.

[0033] In accordance with one embodiment, the slider end stops arejoined to the zipper by applying a layer of adhesive material betweenconfronting surfaces of the end stop 26 and the closure member 12. Inaccordance with another embodiment, the plastic material in a portion ofthe closure member 12 is fused to a confronting portion or surface ofthe slider end stop. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the endstop could be formed on the closure member by injection molding, with orwithout preparation of the surface or shaping of the profile of theclosure member in the area where the end stop will be located.

[0034] In accordance with yet another embodiment, the slider end stop 26is fastened to the zipper by means of a rivet 30, as shown in FIG. 3. Inthe illustrated example, the rivet 30 penetrates a throughhole in theend stop piece 26 and a hole formed in the joined end section of thezipper 8. The hole in the joined end of the zipper is generallytransverse to the longitudinal axis of the zipper. The structure of therivet is shown in FIG. 4. The rivet 30 comprises a shaft 32 and a head34. A multiplicity of tooth-like projections 36 on the shaft are shapedto provide a self-locking feature, i.e., the tooth tips will notinterfere when the rivet is inserted into the hole but will grip thesurrounding plastic material of the zipper when an attempt is made topull the rivet out of the hole. The throughhole in the end stop piecemay be countersunk so that the rivet head will lie flush with or belowthe surface of the end stop.

[0035] In accordance with a variation of the embodiment depicted in FIG.3, instead of riveting the end stop to a joined end section of thezipper, the ends of the closure members 12 and 14 can be unjoined at thetime when the rivet is inserted. In this case the rivet will join theend stop to the zipper and will further join the closure members to eachother. The rivet may have the same configuration as is shown in FIG. 4.A hole that is closed at one end must be formed in the closure memberfurthest from the end stop, with throughholes being formed in the otherclosure member and the end stop itself. These holes are aligned to forma single passage in which the rivet 30 will be inserted. The teeth onthe rivet shaft may be positioned so that both closure members areengaged by respective sets of teeth along respective portions of theshaft. The head of the rivet in conjunction with engagement by the teethas well as surface friction will fasten the slider end stop and the endsof the closure members together in one step.

[0036] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the inventiondepicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, an elongated piece 38 of plastic material iswrapped around the joined end 24 of the zipper. The elongated piece 38comprises a pair of slider end stop bodies 40 and 42 connected by astrap or membrane 44. Each of bodies 40 and 42 may have a shape similarto the shape of the body 26 depicted in FIG. 2, with the difference thatthese bodies are connected by a continuous strap of membrane made of thesame plastic material. As seen in FIG. 6, the end stop body 40 is joinedto the side of closure member 14, while the end stop body 42 is joinedto the side of closure member 12. The strap 44 is disposed adjacent toand overlapping an endface of the zipper. The end stop bodies can bejoined to the closure members by gluing or by applying heat to softenportions of the closure members and pressing the bodies against therespective softened portions, the bodies being fused to the closuremembers when the softened material has cooled sufficiently. Optionally,the strap 38 can be joined (by gluing or welding) to the endfaces of thezipper closure members. Alternatively, the elongated piece could beformed on the end section of the zipper by injection molding, with orwithout preparation of the surface or shaping of the profiles of theclosure members in the areas where injected molten plastic will contactthe zipper.

[0037] In addition to the above-described products, the invention isalso directed to various methods for manufacturing those products.

[0038] In accordance with one method of manufacture, a pair of plasticzipper parts, each comprising a profiled closure member and a connectedzipper flange (e.g., having the structure generally depicted in FIG. 1),are extruded and interlocked together. Then a piece of compatibleplastic material in the shape of a slider end stop is joined to the sideof the closure member of the first zipper part opposite to itsinterlockable profile. The end stop piece is disposed entirely within anelevational range bounded by the top and bottom edges of the closuremember. This process is repeated twice for each zipper segment of onepackage width. Optionally, end stop pieces can also be joined to theclosure member of the second zipper part at identical positions as thosefor the first zipper part. After sliders are mounted to the zipper tapeat spaced intervals therealong (one slider per zipper segment), theresulting slider-zipper assembly can be fed to a zipper application,where one zipper flange is attached to a web of bag making film. The bagmaking film with bag making film with slider-zipper assemblies attachedat spaced intervals can then be fed to a form-fill-seal machine inconventional fashion.

[0039] Alternatively, the end stop pieces can be joined to one or bothclosure members before the zipper parts have been interlocked.

[0040] In one embodiment of the aforementioned joining step, the endstop piece is glued to the side of the closure member using quick-cureadhesive. Optionally, the surface of the closure member may be prepared,e.g., roughened or knurled, prior to gluing. Then a layer of adhesive isapplied to the prepared surface or to the contacting surface on the endstop piece and the end stop piece is pressed against the preparedsurface of the closure member with the layer of adhesive therebetween.The end stop piece is maintained in this state while the adhesive isallowed to cure.

[0041] In another embodiment of the foregoing joining step, a portion ofthe closure member is heated to a softening temperature and optionallyshaped, and then the end stop piece is pressed against the softenedregion of the closure member. The end stop piece is maintained in thisstate while the softened plastic of the closure member is allowed tocool, thereby fusing the end stop piece to the closure member.

[0042] In yet another embodiment of the joining step, a hole (it neednot be a throughhole) is formed in the closure member, the axis of thehole being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the zipperpart. Also, a throughhole is formed in the end stop piece. Thereafter,the end stop piece is positioned so that its throughhole is aligned andin communication with the hole in the closure member. Then aself-locking rivet having a toothed shaft is inserted into thethroughhole of the end stop piece and further into the hole in theclosure member, thereby fastening, i.e., joining, the end stop piece tothe closure member.

[0043] In accordance with a further embodiment of the end stop joiningstep, a portion of the closure member is shaped or its surface isprepared. Then a mold is positioned adjacent to the shaped or otherwiseprepared portion of the closure member. Conventional injection moldingcan then be used to form a slider end stop, the base of which will fuseto the shaped or prepared portion of the closure member. Morespecifically, compatible plastic material is heated to a liquefiedstate; the liquefied plastic material is injected into the mold; andthen the injected plastic material is cooled under pressure and ejectedfrom the mold, leaving a molded end stop joined to the closure member.

[0044] Each of the foregoing slider end stop joining techniques can beperformed on one or both profiled closure members after the closuremembers have been interlocked and after confronting sections of theclosure members have been joined to each other at spaced intervals inanticipation of forming joined end sections later when successive zippersegments are cut off the end of the zipper tape. In this case, the endstops are preferably placed at positions that at least partially overlapthe joined end section.

[0045] In accordance with a further alternative method of manufacture,the slider end stops can be riveted to unjoined sections of interlockedclosure members, with the rivets serving to not only join the end stoppiece to the zipper, but also join the closure members to each, inanticipation of a subsequent cutting operation that will place theriveted sections at opposing ends of each zipper segment. In accordancewith this embodiment of the joining step, a hole (it need not be athroughhole) is formed in the first closure member, the axis of the holebeing generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the zipper part.Also, a throughhole is formed in the second closure member, thisthroughhole being collinear with the hole in the first closure member.Lastly, a throughhole is made in the end stop piece. Thereafter, the endstop piece is positioned so that its throughhole is aligned and incommunication with the throughhole in the second closure member. Then aself-locking rivet having a toothed shaft is inserted into thethroughhole of the end stop piece, into the throughhole in the secondclosure member and further into the hole in the first closure member,thereby fastening, i.e., joining, the end stop piece and the closuremembers together.

[0046] Alternatively, the rivet alone could be used as the stoppingmechanism. In this embodiment, the toothed shaft would grip a hole inthe zipper end, while the rivet head protruded from the side of thezipper to a height sufficient to block passage of the slider.Optionally, the toothed shaft of the rivet could also serve to fastenthe ends of the closure members together.

[0047] In accordance with yet another alternative method of manufacture,the slider end stops can be joined to the end of a zipper after cutting.In this embodiment, an elongated piece of plastic material, of the typedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, is wrapped around the cut endof a zipper tape or a zipper segment separated from the zipper tape andthen joined by adhesion or fusion. This method can be applied to joinedor unjoined ends of the zipper closure members. Alternatively, theelongated piece can be formed on the unjoined ends of the zipper closuremembers by injection molding.

[0048] More specifically, the method of joining a wraparound elongatedpiece comprises the following steps: interlocking a pair of profiledclosure members together along their length to form a zipper; cuttingthe zipper to form a generally transverse endface; making an elongatedpiece of plastic material having two bodies connected by a foldablestrap in a central section; wrapping the elongated piece around the cutend with the strap confronting the generally transverse endface, andwith the bodies respectively disposed adjacent and exterior to theopposing sides of the zipper; and joining the bodies of plastic materialto the respective sides of the zipper. Optionally, the strap can bejoined to the endface of the zipper. The bodies can be glued or fused tothe sides of the zipper. Fusing can be accomplished by heatingrespective exterior portions on the zipper sides to a softeningtemperature, and then pressing the bodies against the respectivesoftened exterior portions.

[0049] As previously mentioned, the invention also encompassesreclosable bags in which bag making film and first and secondinterlockable profiled closure members are integrally formed, e.g., byextrusion. The bag making film is then folded in a manner that alignsthe first and second closure members in opposition to each other. Theslider end stops can be formed before or after folding.

[0050] While the invention has been described with reference to variousembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationto the teachings of the invention without departing from the essentialscope thereof. Therefore it is intended that the invention not belimited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

[0051] The listing of method steps in any annexed claim, in the absenceof express limiting language in the claim, is not intended to limit thescope of that claim to mean that the method steps must be performed inthe order in which they are listed. For example, the end stops can bejoined to the closure members before or after the closure members havebeen interlocked to form a zipper. As used in the claims, the verb“joined” means fused, bonded, sealed, adhered, fastened, whether byapplication of heat and/or pressure, application of ultrasonic energy,application of a layer of adhesive material or bonding agent,interposition of an adhesive or bonding strip, insertion of a rivet, orother substantially equivalent means.

1. A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: extruding afirst zipper part comprising a first plastic closure member that has aninterlockable first profile and that has a first side opposite to saidfirst profile; and joining a first piece of plastic material to saidfirst side of said first closure member, said first piece being disposedentirely within an elevational range bounded by top and bottom edges ofsaid first closure member.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid joining step comprises gluing said first piece to said firstclosure member.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein saidjoining step comprises the following steps: heating a portion of saidfirst closure member to a softening temperature; and pressing said firstpiece against said softened portion of said first closure member.
 4. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein said joining step comprises thefollowing steps: forming a hole in said first closure member; forming athroughhole in said first piece; and inserting a rivet through saidthroughhole in said first piece and into said hole in said first closuremember.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said joining stepcomprises the following steps: shaping a portion of said first closuremember; placing a mold adjacent said shaped portion of said firstclosure member; heating said plastic material to a liquefied state;injecting said liquefied plastic material into said mold; and coolingsaid injected plastic material to form said first piece.
 6. The methodas recited in claim 1, further comprising the following steps: extrudinga second zipper part comprising a second plastic closure member that hasa second profile interlockable with said first profile and that has asecond side opposite to said second profile; interlocking said first andsecond profiles of said first and second closure members together toform a zipper with said first and second sides on opposite sides of saidzipper; and joining a second piece of plastic material to said secondside, said second piece being disposed entirely within said elevationalrange.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising thefollowing steps: extruding a second zipper part comprising a secondplastic closure member that has a second profile complementary to saidfirst profile; interlocking said first and second profiles of said firstand second closure members together to form a zipper; forming a hole insaid second closure member; forming a throughhole in said first closuremember that is aligned with said hole in said second closure member; andforming a throughhole in said first piece, wherein said joining stepcomprises the step of inserting a rivet through said throughhole in saidfirst piece, through said throughhole in said first closure member andinto said hole in said second closure member.
 8. The method as recitedin claim 1, further comprising the following steps: extruding a secondzipper part comprising a second plastic closure member that has a secondprofile complementary to said first profile; interlocking said first andsecond profiles of said first and second closure members together toform a zipper; joining said first and second closure members along alongitudinal zone of said zipper; forming a hole in said zone of joinderof said zipper, said hole being disposed generally transverse to alongitudinal axis of said zipper; forming a throughhole in said firstpiece; and inserting a rivet through said throughhole in said firstpiece and into said hole in said zone of joinder of said zipper.
 9. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein said extruded first zipper partfurther comprises a zipper flange connected to said first closuremember.
 10. A method of making slider end stops on an end section of aplastic zipper, comprising the following steps: interlocking a pair ofprofiled closure members together along their length to form a zipper;cutting said zipper to form a generally transverse endface; making anelongated piece of plastic material having first and second bodiesconnected by a foldable strap in a central section; wrapping saidelongated piece around said cut end with said strap confronting saidgenerally transverse endface, and with said first and second bodiesbeing disposed adjacent and exterior to opposing sides of said zipper;and joining said first and second bodies of plastic material to saidrespective sides of said zipper.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10,wherein each of said first and second bodies is disposed entirely withinan elevational range bounded by a top and a bottom of one of saidclosure members.
 12. The method as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising the step of joining said closure members together in a zoneof joinder that will be cut in said cutting step.
 13. The method asrecited in claim 10, further comprising the step of joining said strapto said generally transverse face of said zipper.
 14. The method asrecited in claim 10, wherein said joining step comprises the steps ofgluing said first body to one side of said zipper and gluing said secondbody to the other side of said zipper.
 15. The method as recited inclaim 10, wherein said joining step comprises the following steps:heating respective exterior portions on the sides of said zipper to asoftening temperature; and pressing said first body against saidsoftened exterior portion of one side and pressing said second bodyagainst said softened exterior portion of the other side of said zipper.16. An assembly comprising a plastic zipper and a slider mounted to saidzipper, wherein said zipper comprises first and second interlockableprofiled closure members, and a first slider end stop projecting outwardfrom a side of said first closure member for a distance sufficient toobstruct further travel of said slider in a first direction, whereinsaid first slider end stop comprises a first body of plastic materialjoined to said first closure member, said first body being disposed nearone end of said zipper and entirely within an elevational range boundedby top and bottom edges of said first closure member.
 17. The assemblyas recited in claim 16, wherein said slider has a notch that receives aportion of said first body before said first body stops further travelof said slider, said notch being formed in part by a surface that issituated under a portion of said first body when said slider abuts saidfirst body.
 18. The assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein saidportion of said first body received in said notch of said slider istapered.
 19. The assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said zipperfurther comprises a second slider end stop projecting outward from saidside of said first closure member or a side of said second closuremember for a distance sufficient to obstruct further travel of saidslider in a second direction opposite to said first direction, whereinsaid second slider end stop comprises a second body of plastic materialjoined to said first or second closure member, said second body beingdisposed near said second end of said zipper and entirely within saidelevational range.
 20. The assembly as recited in claim 16, furthercomprising a layer of adhesive material between said first body and saidfirst closure member.
 21. The assembly as recited in claim 16, whereinmaterial of said first closure member is fused to said first body at thejuncture of said first body and said first closure member.
 22. Theassembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said first end of said zippercomprises a hole, said hole being disposed generally transverse to alongitudinal axis of said zipper, and said first body comprises athroughhole aligned with said hole, further comprising a rivet thatpenetrates said hole and said throughhole and that engages said firstend of said zipper.
 23. The assembly as recited in claim 22, whereinsaid rivet comprises teeth that engage said first end of said zipper.24. The assembly as recited in claim 16, further comprising a secondslider end stop projecting outward from a side of said second closuremember for a distance sufficient to obstruct further travel of saidslider, wherein said second slider end stop comprises a second body ofplastic material joined to said second closure member, said second bodybeing disposed entirely within said elevational range in a mirroredposition relative to said first body.
 25. The assembly as recited inclaim 24, further comprising a strap having one end connected to saidfirst body and another end connected to said second body, said strapbeing adjacent to and overlapping an endface at said first end of saidzipper.
 26. The assembly as recited in claim 16, further comprisingfirst and second zipper flanges respectively connected to said first andsecond closure members.
 27. A reclosable package comprising a receptacleand an assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said zipper of saidassembly is joined to or integrally formed with said receptacle.
 28. Anassembly comprising a plastic zipper and a slider mounted to saidzipper, wherein said zipper comprises first and second interlockableprofiled closure members, and a slider end stop projecting outward froma side of said first closure member for a distance sufficient toobstruct further travel in one direction by said slider, wherein saidslider end stop is disposed near one end of said zipper and entirelywithin an elevational range bounded by top and bottom edges of saidfirst closure member, and said slider has a notch that receives aportion of said slider end stop before said slider end stop stopsfurther travel by said slider, said notch being formed in part by asurface that is situated under a portion of said slider end stop whensaid slider abuts said slider end stop.
 29. The assembly as recited inclaim 28, wherein said portion of said slider end stop received in saidnotch of said slider is tapered.
 30. An assembly comprising a plasticzipper and a slider mounted to said zipper, wherein said zippercomprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members, aslider end stop projecting outward from a side of said first closuremember for a distance sufficient to obstruct further travel in onedirection by said slider, and a fastener that fastens said slider endstop to one end of said zipper, wherein said slider end stop comprises abody of plastic material disposed entirely within an elevational rangebounded by top and bottom edges of said first closure member.
 31. Theassembly as recited in claim 30, wherein said second closure membercomprises a hole, said first closure member comprises a throughholealigned with said hole and in communication therewith and said bodycomprises a throughhole aligned with said throughhole in said firstclosure member, and said fastener comprises a rivet that penetrates saidhole and said throughholes and that engages at least said second closuremember.
 32. The assembly as recited in claim 31, wherein said rivetcomprises teeth that engage said second closure member.
 33. The assemblyas recited in claim 31, wherein said rivet also engages said firstclosure member.
 34. A reclosable package comprising a receptacle and anassembly as recited in claim 30, wherein said zipper of said assembly isjoined to or integrally formed with said receptacle.
 35. An assemblycomprising a plastic zipper and a slider mounted to said zipper, whereinsaid zipper comprises first and second interlockable profiled closuremembers having respective opposing ends, and an elongated piece ofplastic material wrapped around one end of said zipper, said elongatedpiece comprising first and second bodies connected by a strap, saidfirst body being joined to an exterior of said first closure member andsaid second body being joined to an exterior of said second closuremember, and said strap confronting an endface of said zipper, said firstand second bodies obstructing further travel of said slider toward saidend of said zipper.
 36. The assembly as recited in claim 35, whereinsaid slider has first and second notches that receive respectiveportions of said first and second bodies respectively before one or bothof said first and second bodies stops further travel of said slider,said first notch being formed in part by a surface that is situatedunder a portion of said first body when said slider is stopped, and saidsecond notch being formed in part by a surface that is situated under aportion of said second body when said slider is stopped.
 37. Areclosable package comprising a receptacle and an assembly as recited inclaim 35, wherein said zipper of said assembly is joined to orintegrally formed with said receptacle.
 38. An assembly comprising aplastic zipper and a slider mounted to said zipper, wherein said zippercomprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members, saidfirst closure member comprising a hole, and a slider end stop comprisinga toothed shaft that penetrates said hole in said first closure memberand a head that projects outward from a side of said first closuremember for a distance sufficient to obstruct further travel in onedirection by said slider.
 39. The assembly as recited in claim 38,wherein said hole in said first closure member is a throughhole and saidsecond closure member comprises a hole in communication with saidthroughhole, said toothed shaft of said slider end stop penetrating saidhole in said second closure member.
 40. A reclosable package comprisinga receptacle and an assembly as recited in claim 38, wherein said zipperof said assembly is joined to or integrally formed with said receptacle.